Nonslippable shoe tongue



. Jun 20, 1933. J w VAN ALST 1,915,110

NONSLIPPABLE SHOE TONGUE Filed March 19, 1931 JOHN.W.VAN ALs T.

INVENTOR BY F: s. a

ATTORNEY Patented June 29, 1933 PATENT GFFEE JOHN W. VAN ALST, OF BIDGEWOOD, NEW JERSEY NONSLIPPABLE SHOE TONGUE Application filed March 19, 1931. Serial No. 523,748.

This invention relates to a method of keeping the tongue of a shoe, football, slipcover, etc., in its proper place. In the case of a shoe it keeps dirt, snow, ice, etc., from the foot and prevents the tongue from sliding to either side of the shoe. It also stops the eyelets in the lap of the shoe from rubbing and causing irritation, etc. This principle of the invention can be used to conceal all but the top lacing of a shoe when the lap style of lacing is used.

The difiiculty with the tongue of most shoes, etc., is that it takes a set position, which position is at an angle to the arch of the foot instead of being parallel thereto. It is more particularly true after a shoe has been worn several times. My method of keeping the tongue of a shoe in its proper location will greatly expedite the present method of manufacturing shoes by simplifying the process now required, when attaching the tongue to a shoe.

By applying my invention to sport shoes and athletic shoes, such as, golf shoes, track shoes, jumping shoes, football shoes, etc., I find that dirt, stones, etc., will be kept out of the shoe. During various sporting contests it is frequently impossible to remove whatever dirt or stones etc., that have accumulated during the contest, thus the annoyance and dangers of a poorly fitting tongue must be tolerated. In track shoes pushers are used which are made of chamois and slipped over thetoes of the foot and extend up over the arch of the foot. They are used to prevent the eyelets of the shoe from rubbing the foot. The pushers may be dispensed with by the use of my invention and would result in greater ease and foot comfort.

The use of my invention in connection with childrens shoes is highly advisable. As a rule, children give little thought regarding the proper placing of the tongue of their shoes. The result is that frequently infections occur, which may have serious results. My invention may also be used for improving the appearance of lacing used in connection with slip covers, ladies clothing, leggings, supporters, boxing gloves, ankle supports, babies clothes, bodices, etc.

In the application of my method of keeping the tongue of a shoe etc., in its proper place the lace is used as a means of holding the said tongue in place. This method can be applied to shoes, or other objects, regardless of the style of lacing. It may be used with mens, ladies and childrens shoes. The same method may be applied to keeping tongues of footballs, etc., in place and in many other devlces where tongues or their equivalents are used. My invention will be more clearly understood from the drawing, to which reference is now made:

Figure 1 showing a top view of a shoe and the method of applying the invention for lap lacing.

Figure 2 shows the top view of a shoe and the method of applying the invention for criss-cross lacing.

Figure 3 shows the front view of the tongue of a shoe prepared for the universal application of the invention for either lap or crisscross lacing.

Figure 4. is an enlarged view of the method of my invention outlined in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the method of my invention outlined in Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1,1 show the method of applying the invention for lap lacing. The enlarged circle Figure 4 shows the methodmore in detaiL- The lap portion of the shoe is shown turned back slightly, to demonstrate more clearly the application of my invention. B and C are two holes made in tongue A. through the top eyelet E, then through the hole or eyelet B and out through the hole or eyelet C to the bottom eyelet H? on the opposite side of the shoe or other object being laced. This method can be ap plied to either side of the shoe.

Referring to Figure 2, the same shows a top View of a shoe and the use of my invention when applying the criss-cross style of lacing.

The enlarged circle Figure 5 shows said application in greater detail. The lap portion of the shoe is held back thus giving a clearer view of the application of my invention. Lace D is drawn through the top eyelet E on one side of the shoe and then through 10 The lace D is drawn the hole or eyelet B in the tongue and out again through the hole or eyelet F to eyelet G on the other side of the shoe next to the top eyelet. This method is used on 5 both sides of the shoe. Holes or eyelets B and F are fairly close together and on an approximately straight line between the top eyelet E on one side of the shoe and eyelet G which is next to the top eyelet on the other side of the shoe.

Referring to Figure 3, I show a front view of a tongue of a shoe applying the principles of the invention for either lap or crisscross lacing. Holes or eyelets B and G on either side of tongue A are used when lap lacing is desired. Holes or eyelets B and F on both sides of tongue A are used when criss-cross lacing is desired.

In the general application of my invention, holes are punctured in tongue A. Eyelets, edging or other means may be used, however, edging or eyelets are not absolutely necessary. If eyelets are used the metal portion of the eyelet should be on'the outside of tongue A i. e. away from the foot, so that, there is no possibility of the metal in the eyelet irritating the footor rubbing the stocking and thus causing a hole in same.

While I have illustrated the invention in several simple forms in which the same may be applied, I do not intend to limit myself to these particular methods. It is apparent that many other methods may be employed for obtaining the same result without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is: In a shoe tongue having six apertures near the top thereof arranged in sets of three on both sides of the tongue, each set having one of said tongue apertures beneath the top eyelet on each side of the shoe, the second aperture in each set being below the first aperture and slightly above the second eyelet from the top, and in a direct line between the bottom eyelet in said shoe and the top eyelet on the opposite side of the opening of said shoe, the third aperture of the said set being a slight distance to the side of the other apertures and towards the center of the tongue and a slight distance below the first aforesaid aperture and above the second aforesaid aperture and in a direct line between the eyelet second from the top, insaid shoe, and the top eyelet on the opposite side of the opening of said shoe, the first and second apertures being used for lap lacing and the first and third apertures being used for criss-cross lacing, all of the apertures being concealedheneaththe parts of the upper which contain the eyelets when the shoe is laced in either manner described. a

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 21st day of October 1931. V

7 JOHN W. VAN ALST. 

